Q22. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:
- Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism.
- The Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of the Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism.
- The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered Mahayana Buddhism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
- Statement 1 is not correct: The first division in the Buddhist community occurred in 383 B.C. The order broke into Sthaviravada (in Pali Theravada) and the Mahasanghikas. While the Sthaviravadinswere believers in the teaching of elders, and orthodox school. They did not belong to the Mahayana Buddhism.
- Statement 2 is correct: Subdivisions of the Mahasanghikas included a sect of Lokottarvadin whose philosophy was based on the concept of Lokottara Buddha or Supernatural Buddha. Hence, The Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of the Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism. The major split took place during the reign of Kanishka in 100 A.D. and there emerged two sects: Hinayana or the Lesser Vehicle and Mahayana or the Greater Vehicle.
- Statement 3 is correct: Further subdivisions of the Mahasanghikas over the next seven centuries included the Lokottaravadins, the Ekavyavaharikas, and the Kaukkutikas.
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